Ruben Amorim told by Man Utd legend ‘biggest’ challenge he faces in post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, every ex-manager felt it

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin has warned Ruben Amorim of the huge issue that he will have to overcome at Old Trafford in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson period.

Ruben Amorim became the sixth permanent manager of Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson bowed out of the Premier League club in 2013.

The 39-year-old Portuguese manager left Sporting CP last November after United activated his release clause and he replaced Erik ten Hag in the Old Trafford dugout.

Former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag was axed from the Red Devils last October after United’s disastrous start to the 2024-25 Premier League season.

Amorim, who inked a deal with the Red Devils until 2027, has overseen a mixed start to life at United and the ex-Sporting CP boss faces an uphill battle at the club.

United languish in 13th place in the Premier League table and the Red Devils are only 10 points above 18th-place Ipswich Town after 22 matches played.

The Red Devils have won seven league matches and United are a whopping 14 points adrift from the Premier League top four in the current campaign.

READ MORE: Roy Keane reveals ‘frosty’ confrontation with Man Utd legend happened only once ‘in 12 years,’ both ‘went after each other’

Irwin on Man Utd after Ferguson’s exit

Manchester United have failed to climb back to the top of English football after Sir Alex Ferguson called it time on his legendary managerial career.

Ferguson, who is widely regarded as one of the best managers of all time, engineered all 13 of United’s Premier League title wins.

United have not lifted the Premier League trophy since the end of the 2012-13 campaign, with Ferguson subsequently leaving Old Trafford.

Denis Irwin enjoyed success under Ferguson and he lifted seven Premier Leagues, a Champions League, a European Cup Winners’ Cup, two FA Cups and a League Cup.

The 59-year-old United legend was reunited with former Red Devils teammates Gary Neville and Roy Keane on The Overlap’s recent Stick to Football episode.

Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Irwin insisted that the Red Devils were always going to have a “difficult period” after Ferguson left as United manager.

“It’s been a difficult 10 years [post-Sir Alex Ferguson],” he said.

“Everyone kind of knew it was going to be a difficult period after Sir Alex left.

“They’ve had a lot of experienced managers – Ole [Gunnar Solskjær] as well – that have looked like they’re going to do something, but that light has just closed.”

READ MORE: Denis Irwin singles out only Man Utd legend who was even comparable to Roy Keane, he was ‘tough’ and ‘aggressive’

Irwin pinpoints Man Utd’s key issue

United have had a wide range of managers in the post-Ferguson period, including the likes of Jose Mourinho, Louis van Gaal, David Moyes and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Irwin, who is one of the best Premier League left-backs of all time, suggested that United’s “biggest problem” has been their recruitment after Ferguson left the club.

“They’ve won cups, like Liverpool did in their quiet period, but not been anywhere near the league in the last ten years,” he added.

“It’s going to take time. I’ve said before, it’s down to the players. The manager can organise [the players], he likes a 4-3-3, but it’s literally down to the players.

“You wouldn’t say [Manchester] United’s recruitment over the last 10 years has been great either – that’s the biggest problem.”